Keeping It Real

Strip mined by historians and abandoned by literary scholars, American literary realism deserves another look

A teenager from a respectable, if by no means prosperous, family stands in front of the bathroom mirror, smoking a cigarette with an air of practiced insouciance. His composure is unaffected by the worry that his parents will catch him. Studs Lonigan wants to be a tough guy. As he works at the pose his thoughts roam across the entire world, or as much as he will ever know of it,

Digital or Print Subscription

Already have an account? Log In Now.